Replacing the Honda CB 500X is the NX500 that actually arrived in SA in the middle of last year. It took a little while for our lot to get our mitts onto it because, very cleverly, Honda sent the few demo models that they have on a cross country tour to all of their dealers. Bums in saddles is a big part of what sells motorcycles.
When this little matte black beauty eventually became available in GP, we wandered down to the Honda offices in Midrand and took it out for a week..
The original CB500X, was released in 2013 powered by Honda’s 500 platform along with the CBR500R sportbike and a CB500F naked. These bikes shared the majority of their components including their frame, engine, and 17-inch wheels. The “X” model was differentiated by adventure-inspired styling and a focus on long distance travel. Taller handlebars, longer travel suspension and a screen made the original CB500X a popular option for urban commuting and cost effective touring with forays into the dirt. In 2019, Honda updated the CB500X with some of the dirt-worthy features that owners wanted. Chief among these were the 19″ front wheel and a bit more suspension travel, which increased ground clearance. The bike got a fresher look, engine tweaks for more low-down grunt, LED lighting, and a slipper clutch.
The final update of the X saw a set of Showa SFF-BP (separate function fork, big piston) units up front and improved braking with a new twin-disk Nissin setup in the front. Honda also made further tweaks to fueling for smoother, stronger power delivery.
2024 saw the introduction of the NX. Faster, smoother, better suspension and it looks fantastic!
Some features:
A wide seat, a lowish leg reach, a TFT display that boasts a far less complicated switchgear than its bigger brother the Africa Twin. Inherited from the Transalp, it offers customisable display options and Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity. The backlit 4-way toggle switch makes managing turn-by-turn navigation, calls, and music pretty simple.
We like that.
The 2024 Honda NX500 has Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), a simple, on/off traction control system that can be switched off with a toggle switch on the left handlebar.
The system compares the speeds of the front and rear wheels to detect rear slip and reduces torque smoothly.
The brakes are by Nissin – Dual 296mm front discs up front with ABS give you the braking power that you’d expect from a brand like this. Suspension is by Showa.
The little faring is just so beautifully sculpted with the NX logo moulded into some of the covers. LED lights all around make sure that you see and are seen. We were out a few times in the late evenings and have no complaints about visibility.
Grab handles out back are perfect for tying on an overnight bag.
We are told that the cast wheels are lighter than those found on the outgoing CBX. Now here comes the debate:
Cast Vs spokes and then of course there’s the chatter around the size of the wheels with most hardcore guys only opting for a 21 inch front. (This one has a 19, 17” setup).
Having a smaller wheel makes it easier to get your feet on the ground – but you generally sacrifice a bit of ground clearance. There’s no argument that spoked wheels are lighter, but on a bike like this, does that really matter?
In our experience, to date we’ve never actually managed to bust a cast wheel, while we’ve all bent spoked rims, so the argument that spokes are more durable could be moot.
This bike was fitted with a larger touring screen and a set of crash bars.
Road:
The simple fact is that the vast majority of ADV bikes are used on the road – during the week, and then in the dirt for those weekends away. At 125 odd k, this one has everything that you need. She snicks smoothly through the six speed box with the exhaust emitting a manly roar as you rumble along.
It’s got a big bike feel – even our bigger riders were comfortable on the roads around GP, carving through the traffic and calling on the dealers. The 471cc parallel twin-cylinder engine, delivers 35kW and 43Nm of torque. Power delivery is smooth and unintimidating with a top speed for skinnier riders of 165KPH.
Because it’s a smaller capacity engine, you do spend time rowing through the gearbox, kick down, open the throttle, overtake, gear up, repeat, sixth is more of an overdrive gear for economy.
Bigger guys can bank on a comfortable 155 odd with a cruising speed around the 145KPH mark.
It’s really comfy with a quality Honda feel to it. Handling is cool – the bike is pretty nippy and turns really well. The Showa suspension quietly keeps everything in shape as you go about the business of dodging potholes and traffic.
The cockpit is a nice place to be with wide bars and comfortable seating. The display is easy to read and use and the bigger screen fitted on this bike sends the breeze over your head.
We’d possibly consider the bigger touring screen for sure!
With a 17.5 litre fuel tank and claimed fuel consumption of 27 odd KM’s per litre we know that you’ll get a long way between fill ups.
Dirt:
We sent our junior tester who also happens to be an accomplished dirtbiker out with the instruction “Please don’t break it!” and despite his best efforts, he didn’t manage to do that.
The bike makes mincemeat of good, fast, flowing gravel trails. It’s all really easy. The seat is narrow up against the tank for stand up riding, so you won’t be bow legged. The bend in the bars means that even taller riders can stand up without crouching or hunching over the front.
The engine loves to rev and shifting through the gears is fun. The Dunlop Trailmax tyres are a good choice for road and gravel ADV use.
Because the bike is small – it’s fun. You are not constantly worried about whether you are going into the corner too hot – you can switch off and ride it like a bigger dirtbike.
In keeping with our photographers wishes, Tristan pointed the bike in the direction of our little enduro loop where he proceeded to do stuff that – well, we don’t think Honda had in mind for this bike – and he came away smiling.
“I fully expected to run out of suspension on some of those jumps”, he says with a wry grin, ‘But I should have known better – all of my Honda’s have had good suspension and – somewhat surprisingly considering the terrain, the NX never actually got out of shape.”
While the appearance and dimensions of both the Showa fork and shock are identical to the previous CB500X, Honda made some improvements to the internals that noticeably improve handling.
“Dad can’t we ask Honda if we can adventurise this one a bit more – proper wide footpegs, a performance pipe… maybe a set of knobblies and we can lift the front fender up a bit.”
Good idea! It will give the bike some extra appeal. Let’s see if one of the dealers build one like that.
See our note about the ground clearance earlier? Well, during this ride, we never bottomed on a rut or klapped a loose rock for the duration of the ride just, take it easy. However, if you are going to go off touring, a skid plate is always a good idea.
In Conclusion:
Small Adventure bikes are big business right now. They are cost effective, comfortable and economical. Parallel twin engines also make a lot of sense simply because they do not work as hard as a single and service intervals are so much further apart.
This one is termed a “soft” adventure tourer but in the correct hands, you can really open up and have some fun in more tricky terrain.
The question is:
Do you really want to drag a bike this pretty around in the bushveld?
At your Honda dealer: From R124799.00
NX500 Engine:
- Engine Displacement: 471cc
- Type: 180-degree parallel-twin
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled
- Bore x Stroke: 67.0mm x 66.8mm
- Compression Ratio: 10.7:1
- Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder
- Fueling: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection w/ 34mm throttle bodies
- Max Power: 46.9 hp @ 8,600rpm
- Max Torque: 31.7 lb-ft @ 6,500rpm
- Transmission: 6-Speed manual
- Final Drive: Sealed O-ring chain
Chassis::
- Front Suspension/Travel: 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork, 5.9″ inches of travel, non-adjustable
- Rear Suspension/Travel: Showa Pro-link single shock, 5.3 inches of travel, preload adjustable
- Front Brake: Dual 296mm discs with four-piston calipers; ABS
- Rear Brake: Single 240mm disc with single-piston caliper; ABS
- Front Wheel: 19-inch, cast aluminum
- Rear Wheel: 17-inch, cast aluminum
- Front Tyre: Dunlop Trailmax 110/80-19
- Rear Tyre: Dunlop Trailmax 160/60-17
